Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S              
      T T T            
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Lettuce in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden, or start in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 27°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Onions, Strawberries, Beets, Brassicas, Radish, Marigold, Borage, Chervil, Florence fennel, leeks.
  • Avoid growing close to: Parsley, Celery

Your comments and tips

26 Jul 08, Wayne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can lettuce be grown in a area where frost is common in winter?spring
09 May 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
In cold months I start seeds under agri-fleece frost protection or in seed trays. I've found that lettuce takes forever to germinate (if ever) when sown directly in frost-exposed ground.
09 May 08, Don (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i've got lettuces in the open which are growing nicely that were established in February and March. Just wondered if the seed would germinate in the cold ground.
05 May 08, Charlie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can't grow lettuce in May, surely it is too cold...
18 Jan 08, Jane Falzon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi some thing is eating my lettuce i have put snail bat down but that has't helped and i dont really want to use spray on them can you help
03 Jan 12, Tim McGrath (Australia - temperate climate)
probably sparrows, bird net may help.
Showing 191 - 196 of 196 comments

To increase the levels of Molybdenum (Mo, also called Molly) in your soils -- wood ash (from a fireplace, firepit, or barbeque) can be incorporated into the soil. Alternatively, Banana peels are an excellent source of Moly. Animal manure tends to (grass/grain/vegetable feeders) tend to have a decent amount of Moly in their manure. If all of these are out of reach, perhaps try incorporating wood chips/bark mulch in your garden. You can make bark chip paths, use the paths, then the following year when the chips are broken down mix them into the soil. OR -- just mix the wood chips (bark, mulch, whatever) directly into the soil. As the wood is breaking down it takes a lot of nitrogen. I would expect to find Moly in leaf mulch - but have not found any reliable sources that have stated this as a fact. If you choose to use chemical forms of Moly remember that this is a TRACE element - VERY little is needed and over application can result in a OTHER problems. Staying organic almost guarantees you will not over apply. If you live in an area where wood burning stoves and fireplaces where common for heating (pre- electric fireplaces and stoves) - and you know people old enough to have been around when wood ash was common in the garden (there was no place else to put it) - they can tell you how amazing the gardens where back then.

- Celeste Archer

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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